Don’t Fear Their Fears: Fear projected onto the IB program shouldn’t impact one’s outlook on their capability of success in the program

I’m only three weeks into my International Baccalaureate schedule and day by day, I’m constantly reminded of my “not-so-bright” IB future. 

The number of sarcastic “good lucks” and raise-eyebrows-smile-and-turn-away looks that follow the phrase “I’m in IB” is more than the number of coupons on a CVS receipt. After being added to the IB group chat, we were welcomed — then immediately the seniors referred to IB as hell.

I’ve been told to be scared and prepared for the “two worst years of high school.” However, my experience will be completely separate from someone else’s and therefore others shouldn’t be sharing their pessimistic thoughts to others and allow them to determine their own feelings towards IB.

I entered the year excited to take IB courses. I’ve heard about the exciting, only slightly dangerous labs Chem 2 does and the bonding that occurs when every IB student is up at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings working on CAS (creativity, activities, service) projects, and I was ready to dive in.

But instead of reminiscing on these fond memories, the IB seniors ask who has dropped out of Chemistry already or recommend saying goodbye to any friends not in the program, since I won’t be seeing them anytime soon. 

Now, after hearing other people’s opinions, I’m less excited about the program. Maybe I’ll be overwhelmed. Maybe I’ll struggle terribly with the notorious workload. Maybe I’ll have to quit cross country next year. Maybe IB will rip away my stereotypical high school experience. 

Even Urban Dictionary’s International Baccalaureate definition is described as “the death of you” and an IB student is defined as a “loser who sacrifices every aspect of their social life, only for IB to absolutely destroy them.”

Maybe I am just naïve. After all, how do I know if I can handle the workload when I have yet to experience it, and those who already have keep telling me that I can’t.

Convincing me that what I’m embarking on is going to kill my sleep schedule isn’t motivating. Although it may seem that, despite your academic history, IB will plow you down and kill any motivation left, actually helpful advice like keeping a running list of internal assessment ideas or working on CAS activities a couple times a month acknowledges that I can be in control. 

My experience in IB will be completely separate from anyone else’s — as it should be. Let me try it out for myself without any preconceived notions. I accept that I may fail an HL math test or miss the symbolism in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. However, it won’t be from lack of confidence due to the constant whispers in my ear about how impossible it is, but rather because it’s just a challenging course.

I can’t grow without being pushed out of my comfort zone. IB is the first step to many experiences which I will be able to continuously grow from and learn more about myself. I independently chose to take IB, so I want to go through the program without someone’s doubts interfering with my perception of the program.

Although everyone has their own reasons for their school schedule choices, I’m sure many students declined taking IB due to hearing horror stories about other students’ experiences — which in the end could vastly differ from their own.

The same goes for Honors Chemistry 1. As a freshman, I was victim of the sophomores’ gripes about the intense course, urging me to take regular Chemistry. I took honors anyways and ended up loving it. It’s unfair for people to push their bad experiences onto others, convincing them not to make the same decision they did.

I have no doubt that there will be nights when my homework list doesn’t fit on a sticky note, or when it’s already 10:30 p.m. and I still have finished only math.

However I know that if I put in the effort and form strong habits, I will graduate with my IB Diploma. Enforcing the idea that I won’t be able to handle it will only slow me down. When mindsets are forced upon you, it prevents you from developing an opinion for yourself. My outcome is direct result of my effort, regardless of how I am supposedly expected to do.